Self-unloading feed wagon



Nov. 22, 1966 K, HANSEN 3,286,862

SELF-UNLOADING FEED WAGON Filed Afig. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 BVW PW Arrow/5V Nov. 22, 1966 E. K. HANSEN 3,286,862

SELF-UNLOADING FEED WAGON Filed Aug. 5, 1964. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BV@A%4OMZZ 'Nov- 22, 1966 E. K. HANSEN 3,286,862

SELF-UNLOADING FEED WAGON Filed Aug. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOANE? 1966 E. K. HANSEN 3,286,862

SELF-UNLOADING FEED WAGON Filed Aug. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent SELF-UNLOADING FEED WAGON Elmer K. Hansen, 801 S. Martha, Sioux City, Iowa Filed Aug. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 387,664 9 Claims. (Cl. 214519) This invention relates to bulk material handling apparatus and more particularly to a self-unloading wagon.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved self-unloading Wagon which discharges bulk material laterally at its forward end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfunloading wagon with a cross conveyer means operative to selectively discharge bulk material to opposite sides of the wagon without reversing the direction of travel of the cross conveyer means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selfunloading wagon usable for handling grains or granular material as well as roughages, such as silage.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wagon box with a grain tight rear end door, which is readily removable from and easily assembled with the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfunloading wagon with a drive mechanism operable to vary the rate of feed of bulk material into a cross conveyer.

A further object of the invention is to arrange a series of conveyers in a wagon box to obtain compactness and operational utility in handling and self-unloading diiferent type bulk materials.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a rugged and versatile self-unloadng wagon which is economical to manufacture and efficient and reliable in use.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-unloading bulk material wagon of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the wagon of FIG. 1, with portions broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged and foreshortened sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation-a1 view of the rear end of the wagon;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the front end of the wagon;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevational detail view of the discharge end of the transverse conveyer showing the parts thereof arranged to discharge material from one side of the wagon, with some parts being broken away and other parts shown in section;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the discharge end of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the parts at the discharge end of the transverse conveyer arranged to discharge material from the opposite side of the wagon;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the wagon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away showing the assembly relation between the transverse conveyer and a discharge auger;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic showing of the power transmission system for the unloading means of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a two-speed gear mechanism for the horizontal and elevator conveyers;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 1515 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. l4;

Patented Nov. 22, 1966 FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevational view of a clutch of the gear mechanism in an engaged position; and

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the clutch in a disengaged position.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the self-unloading vehicle of this invention, indicated generally at 20, is a trailer type wagon which in use is towed behind a tractor and comprises a rectangular-shaped frame 21 secured to a forwardly extended tongue 22. A Wheel and axle assembly 23 supports the frame 21' for travel over the 7 ground 24.

An open top box 26 mounted on the frame 21 defines a storage chamber for bulk material to be transported and unloaded by the wagon. The bulk material is unloaded by the action of a horizontal conveyer 27 and an elevator conveyer 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which are operably positioned in the box 26. The elevator conveyer 28 discharges bulk material into a transverse or cross conveyer 29 which moves the bulk material laterally of the box 26. The transverse conveyer 29 is selectively operable to discharge bulk material in one direction to a position adjacent to one side of the wagon or in an opposite direction to an auger assembly 31 (FIG. 1) having a movable boom 32.

The conveyers 27, 28, and 29 together with the auger assembly 31 are operated through a drive mechanism indicated generally at 33 (FIG. 2) coupled to the power take-01f drive of the towing tractor.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the box 26 has upright side walls 34 and 36 secured at their lower edges to a bottom wall 37. A front wall '38, secured to the side walls 34 and 36 is inclined upwardly and forwardly, and has a lower end section integral with a U-shaped well 39 which is secured to and projects below the bottom wall 37. The rear end section of the bottom Wall 37 terminates in a portion semicircular in shape which is joined to an upright rear wall 41.

In order to provide access to the box the rear wall 41 (FIG. 4) has a large trapezoidal-shaped cut out portion or door opening defined by upwardly diverging side walls 42 and a. horizontal bottom wall 44. The opening in the end Wall 41 is closed by a flat door or gate 46 adapted to be positioned adjacent to the inside of the rear wall 41. The door 46 is of a rectangular shape larger than the opening in the rear wall 41 and is releasably attached to the end wall 41 by a pair of Z-shaped guide members 47 and 48 secured to the rear surface of the door 46, and

relatively arranged in correspondence with the diverged side walls or edges 42 and 43 of the opening in the rear wall 41. v

" The guide members 47 and 48 are identical in construction, and as shown in FIG. 5, for the member 48, each has a flange 49 spaced from the rear surface of the door 46 :to form grooves or guideways to receive corresponding sections of the rear wall 41 adjacent the edges 42 and 43 of the door opening. Thus, it is seen that the door 46 may be removed from the rear wall 41 by vertically raising the door 46 until the guide members 47 and 48 are clear of the rear Wall 41. For this purpose handles 51 are secured to the back of the door 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal conveyer 27 extends about a platform or false bottom wall 52 secured to the side walls 34 and 36 and positioned above the bottom wall 37. The conveyer 27 (FIG. 2) comprises a pair of endless chains 53 and 54 positioned adjacent the side walls 34 and 36 and interconnected by transverse angle members or slats 56. The rear ends of the chains 53 and 54 (FIG. 3) are trained a'bout sprockets 57 carried on a transverse shaft 58. The front ends of the chains 53 and 54 are in driven engagement with sprockets 59 mounted on the transverse drive shaft 61.

torque to the drive shaft 61 the chains 53 and 54 together.

with the transverse slats 56 move ina forward direction over the platform 52. As the transverse slats or angle members 56 move .under the drive shafts 61 they pass between a pair of seals 62 and 63 (FIG. 3) which function to minimize the flow of bulk material under the platform 52. The seals 62 and 63 are flat flexible members formed of rubber. or other resilient material and extend transversely of the box 26. An angle bracket-64 is secured'to the forward edge of the platform 52 adjacent the drive shaft 61 and extends downwardly from the platform 52. Bolts (not shown) secure the transverse seal 62 to the bracket64 holding it in a substantially upright' position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the seal 62 extends transversely between the sprockets 59 with the opposite ends thereof positioned contiguous to the chains 54 and 56. The lower seal 63 is secured to a portion of the U-shaped well 39 i and is inclined in an upward and rearward direction so. that its upper end portion is in engagement with the lower end portion of the seal 62.. The opposite ends of the seal 63 are in engagement with the sides of the box 2 6. As the transverse angle members 56 pass between the seals 62 and 63 the sealsfunction asflexible scraper blades to prevent the movement of bulk material under the platform 52..

The horizontal conveyer 27 (FIG. 3) moves the bulk material in the box 26 into engagement with the elevator conveyer 28 which is positioned about a panel 66 68 are positioned above and rearward-1y of the transverse conveyer 29 and extend over sprockets 73 secured to a transverse drive shaft'74.' When torque is applied to the shaft 74 the chains 67 and 68 together with the. transverse slats 69 move upwardly over the panel 66 carrying the 'bulk material in an upward and forward direction for discharge into the transverse conveyer 29.

A housing indicated generally at 76 (FIG. 3) secured to the forward section of the box 26 encloses the transverse conveyer 29 and comprises a horizontal wall 77 located below the transverse conveyer 29 with its forward side connected to an upwardly extended wall 78 and its rear side connected to a downwardly extended wall 79. A curved top wall 80 secured to the top edge of the side wall 78 projects rearwardly over the cross conveyer 29 and the elevator conveyer 28. The housing wall 79 is secured to the front ends of the side walls 34 and 36 of the box with its upper end attached to the upper. end of the front box wall 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 77 and the side walls 78 and 79 project laterally from the side wall 34 of the box to form a U-shaped extension. A flat platform 81 secured to the side walls 78 and 79 ispositioned above the bottom wall 77. The. conveyer 29 slides over the platform '81 and moves bulk material into the U-. shaped extension.

The cross conveyer 29 comprises. a pair 'of endless chains 82 and 83 positioned about the platform 81 and interconnected by a plurality of transverse slats or angle members 84. The chains 82 and 83 are trained about sprockets 86 carried on a shaft 87' rotatably mounted by bearings 85, one of which is shown, to the side wal1s'78 and 79 (FIG. 3), and about sprockets 88 (FIG. 2)

mounted on a drive shaft 89. Bearings 91 rotatably 4 shaft 96 the belt 92 transmits providing forv the continuous. operation of the transverse conveyer 29.

As shownin FIGS. 8 and 9, a U-shaped chute 97 is pivotally mounted to the top section of the side walls78' When the bulk material is to .be discharged by the auger assembly 31, the transverse conveyor 29 operates. to discharge bulk materialto the input section ofthe augerassembly. As shown in FIG. 10, a cap or closure 99having upright arms 101 is positioned over the end of the U-shaped extension formed: by the bottom wall v77 and the side walls 78 and 79 so thatthe direction .oftravel of the bulk material moved, by the conveyer;29, over the platform 81 is reversed for travel over the bottom, .Wall 77. The pins98 project through slots in the upright arms 101 and pivotally mount the cap 99 on the side walls 78 and 79.. The cap 99 is held in a closed position by a yoke] 102; pivotally connected to the bearings191 by bolts 103. The yoke 102 has a handle 104 which is used to raise the yoke over. the cap 99 to hold it in a closed position. When the cap 99 is used to close the endof the vU -shaped extension the chute 97 is rotated to its position, shown in FIG. 10, above the sidewalls 78 and 79. I

The transverse conveyer 29 moves the .bulk' material along the bottom wall 77 for discharge. into a hopper 106 (FIGS. 7 and 12) securedto the end of the 'bottom wall 77 opposite the. U-shaped extension. The bottom wall 77 has a rectangular opening 107. (FIG. 12) through which the bulk material is discharged into the hopper 106. A flat door 108 slidably mounted on the bottom of the wall 77 is movable to open and close the opening 107. The hopper 106 has a clean-out door 109 which whenopen provides an access opening into the hopper.

Referring to FIG. 7, the auger assembly 31 comprises a transverse feed auger 111 mounted in the bottom section of the hopper 106 and connected at its outer endto anelbow drive unit 112 which is substantially identical in construction to the elbow drive'shown in applicants U.S.patent No. 2,839,208 issued June 17, 1958. Anupright auger 113 is 'drivably connected to the elbow drive unit 112 and is disposed within a tube 114. A bracket 115 having an annular ring for receiving the tube 114 is secured tothe housing .78 andfunctions to maintain the tube 114 in an upright position. 7 e

As shown in FIG. 11, a double .el'bow drive unit 116 connected to the top of the upright auger 113 functions to transport bulk material from the auger113. to the boom 32. This boom 32 comprises a tube 118 disposed about an auger 117 and terminating in -a head 119, A stand 121 secured to the top of the sidewall-.36 provides a support for the discharge end of the tube 118 fortransport purposes. The boom 32 is angularly'moved in an upright plane by a hydraulic motor 122 .shownas a piston and cylinder assembly. The motor l22 is pivotally mounted atone end to the drive unit 116 and is pivotally mounted at its other end to a stabilizer arm 123. connected tothe mid-section ofthe tube 118..andto the drive .unit 116.

f The boom 32 is moved in an upward direction by the expansion of the hydraulic motor 122.; .A hand operated pump 124 mounted on the tongue .22 is operable to supply power to the drive shaft 89 3 in a housing 129 secured to the side of the housing 76. A hand crank 131 (FIG. 11) is secured to the worm 128 and when rotated applies torque to the tube 114 thereby rotating the boom 32 about the upright axis of the auger The drive mechanism 33 for the horizontal conveyer 27 and the elevator conveyer 28 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 13. The power input shaft 96 is coupled to a speed reduction transmission unit 132 mounted on the tongue 22 forwardly of the front end wall 3801' the box. A transverse drive shaft 133 projects from the transmission -unit 132 and is carried by a bearing 134 (FIG. 15) secured to the frame 21.

A clutch assembly indicated generally at-135" (FIG. 13) is connected to the outer end of the drive shaft 133 and is operable to drive a roller link chain 136 at a high rate of speed or alternately at a slow rate of speed. The chain 136 is trained about a sprocket 137 mounted on the transverse drive shaft 74 of the elevator conveyer 28.

An idler sprocket 138 rotatably carried on a bell crank 139 maintains the chain 136 taut (FIG. 11). The apex portion of the bell crank 139 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 141 secured to the side wall 36 of the box. A spring 142 connected at one end to the free end of the crank arm 139 and at its opposite end to the side wall 36 functions to bias the idler sprocket 138 into engagement with the slack run of the chain 136. Power is transmitted from the sprocket 137 to the horizontal conveyer drive shaft 61 through a connecting rod 143 having its upper end pivotally mounted on a crank pin 144 secured to the side of the sprocket 13'7 radially of the axis of rotation of the shaft 74. The opposite end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the upper end of a lever 146 which is rotatably mounted on the end of the shaft 61. A ratchet wheel 147 is secured to the shaft 61 adjacent the lever 146. A pawl 148 pivotally mounted on the lever 146 extends in a forward direction above the ratchet wheel 147 so that its forward end engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

On rotation of the sprocket 137 by the chain 136 the connecting rod 143 moves the lever 146 in opposite directions. On forward movement of the lever 146 the pawl 148 being in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel rotates the shaft 61 which in turn moves the conveyer 27 in a forward direction. On rearward movement of the lever 146 the pawl 148 moves back over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 147 into a position for driving engagement with another tooth thereof.

The driving action of the pawl 148 (FIG. 13) is controlled by a clutch arm 149 pivotally mounted on the shaft 61 adjacent the ratchet wheel 147. The clutch arm 149 has a flange 150 extended over the ratchet wheel 147 and positionable between the ratchet wheel and the pawl 148. It is seen, therefore, that the angular movement of the clutch arm 149 controls the engagement of the pawl 148 with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 147. The angular position of the clutch arm 149 (FIG. 11) is manually controlled by a linkage comprising a rod 151'pivotally connected to the arm 149 adjacent the flange 150. The opposite end of the rod 151 is pivoted to a handle 153 secured to a transverse shaft 152 which is rotatably mounted on the housing side wall 78. On movement of the handle 153 the shaft 152 is rotated to inturn angularly move the clutch arm 149.

An index lock 154, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, secured to the side wall 78 has projections which coact with the handle 153 to lock the shaft 152 in selected angular positions thereby controlling the position of the clutch arm 149 with respect to the pawl 148. When the handle 153 is indexed to its lowest position the clutch arm 149 is interposed between the pawl 148 and the ratchet wheel 147 so as to prevent the pawl from engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel thereby interrupting the movement of the horizontal conveyer 27. Movement of the handle 153 in an upward direction progressively increases the driving 6 action of the pawl 148 and the ratchet wheel 147 by moving the clutch arm 149 in a rearward direction out of engagement with the pawl 148.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the transverse feed auger 111 is driven from the transverse drive shaft 133 by a chain 156 trained around the sprocket 157 mounted on the shaft 133 and a sprocket 158 mounted on the shaft of the auger 111. The sprocket 158 is drivably connected to V the auger 111 through a positive drive clutch 159 having a pivoted dog 161 movable to engaged and released positions to control the drive of the auger assembly 31 The clutch 159 is identical with the clutches on the clutch assembly 135 which are hereinafter described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 there is shown the clutch assembly 135 drivably coupling the transverse drive shaft 133 with the roller chain 136. The clutch assembly 135 comprises a small sprocket 162 rotatably.

mounted on the shaft 133 adjacent the bearing 134. A sprocket 163 in alignment with the sprocket 162 is secured to a jack shaft 164 extended transversely of the frame 21. Bearings 166, one of which is shown, rotatably support the jack shaft 164 on the frame 21.

Chain 136 is trained around the sprockets 162 and 163. The torque supplied to the drive shaft 133 by the transmission unit 132 is transmitted through a positive drive clutch 167 to the sprocket 162. The clutch 167 has a drive member 168 secured to the shaft 133 adjacent the sprocket 162 which comprises the driven member of the clutch. The drive member 168 has a radial arm 169 carrying a dog 171. A bolt 172 pivotally connects the dog 171 to the inner sideof the arm 169. The dog 171 is a flat plate which is movable into and out of engagement with an car 173 secured to and projected laterally from a side of the sprocket 162. A spring 174 is connected at its opposite ends to pins 176'and 177 secured to the arm 169 and dog 171, respectively. As shown in FIG. 17, when the dog 171 is in engagement with the ear 173 the spring 174 biases the dog into engagement with the shaft 133 thereby maintaining the dog 171 in engagement with the drive member 168 is disengaged from the driven memberor sprocket 162.

The drive shaft 133 can be coupled in a driving relation with the chain 136 for moving the chain at a slower rate of speed. This is accomplished by driving the chain 136 by the sprocket 163 mounted on the jack shaft 164 (FIGS. 14, 15 and 16). A small sprocket 178 is secured.

to the drive shaft 13 adjacent the clutch 167. A large sprocket 179 positioned in alignment with the sprocket 178 is rotatably mounted on the jack shaft 164. A roller link chain 181 is trained around the sprockets 178.and-.

179. A clutch 182 having a pivoted dog 183 operates to transmit torque from the large sprocket 179 to the jack shaft 164. The clutch 182 is identical in constructio with the clutch 167.

In operation, with the dog 171 of the clutch 167 in engagement with the car 173 the drive shaft 133 is coupled in a driving relation with the sprocket 162. When the clutch 167 is engaged the clutch 182 is disengaged so as to drive the chain by the small sprocket 162 at a fast rate of speed. v

To drive the chain 136 at a slow rate of speed the clutch 167 isdisengaged and the clutch 182 is engaged. The drive shaft 133 is then connected in a driving relation with the jack shaft 164 of the clutch 182 so as to clutch 167 disengaged the sprocket 162 rotates on the shaft 133 and thus does not influence. the rate of speed.

. in FIG. 8, and the door 108 (FIG. 12) is moved to close the opening 107 in the bottom wall 77. The horizontal conveyer. 27 and the elevator conveyer 28 are driven at a slow rate of speed by engaging the clutch 182 .and disengaging the clutch 167 of the clutch assembly 135. The' handle'153 is moved to a raised position to pivot the clutch arm 149 out of engagement with the pawl 148. so as to effect, a driving relation between the pawl 148 and the ratchet wheel147.

When power is applied to the power inputshaft 96 (FIG. 13) pulley 94 isrotated moving the belt 92 which in turn moves the pulley 93 thereby operating the transverse conveyer 29. The power transmission unit 132 couples the shaft 96 in a driving relation with the drive shaft 133 totransmit power to the clutch assembly 135. The chain 136 transmits power from the clutch assembly 135 to the sprocket 137 which drives the elevator conveyer 28 thereby carrying the bulk material in the box into thetransverse conveyer 29. The connecting rod 143, being mountedvon the eccentric pin 144, intermittently moves the lever 146 in opposite directions whereby the pawl 148 intermittently rotates the ratchet wheel 147 to advance the top run of the'conveyer 27 toward the elevator conveyer 28. The bulk material on the conveyer 27. is progressively moved into the elevator conveyer 28 which operates to discharge bulk material into the transverse conveyer 29 for discharge laterally of the box 26 into the chute 97 which directs the material to a desired location such as a feed bunk.

When the wagon -is utilized'to haul bulk material such as small grain the auger assembly 31 is used to discharge the bulk material to a selected location. Referring to FIG.110, the cap 99 'is locked in a closed relation by the yoke 102 over the end of the U-shaped extension formed by the bottom wall 77 and the upright side walls 78 and 79 of the housing 76. As shown in FIG. 12, the door 108 is moved to an open position so that bulk material may fall through the opening 107 into the hopper 106. a

In the unloading of small grains, the clutch assembly 135 has clutch 182 in the engaged position and the clutch 162 in a disengaged position so as to operate the chain 136 at the slow rate of speed. The horizontal conveyer 27 and the elevator conveyer 28 operate to move the bulk material into the cross conveyer 29 which now carries thebulk material along the bottom'wall 77 into the hopper 106.

With the dog 161 of the clutch 159 in the engaged position power from the shaft 133 is transmitted to the chain 156 to the feed auger 111 which operates the augers 113 and.117 of the auger assembly 31. These angers move the grain to the head 119 which deflects the grain in a downward direction at the desired location. The boom 32 of the auger assembly is moved to an elevated position by the operation of the fluid motor 122 and is rotated about a vertical axis by the operation of the worm 128 and associated crank 131.

In summary, the self-unloading wagon 20 of this invention is a dual purpose wagon which is operative to selectively discharge roughage bulk material laterally of the wagon and to discharge granular bulk material to an auger assembly 31 having a movable boom 32., The bulk material may be discharged to the opposite sides of the wagon without reversing the direction ,of the transverse or cross conveyer 29. This is accomplished by merely closing the discharge end .of the cross conveyer and providing an opening at the opposite end of the cross To provide a moreeflicient unloading of these distinct.

types of bulk materiala two-speed clutch assembly is used to drive the horizontal conveyer 27 and elevator con: veyer 28 at either a fast rate of speed or a slow rate of speed to provide a more even discharge of bulk material into the cross conveyer 29.

invention as defined by the appended claims. 1

conveyer for discharging the bulk material into the feed section of an auger assembly 31.

' Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is ,to be understood that it is notto be so limited, since changescan be made therein which are Within the full'intended scope oftthis,

I claim: 1. A'self-unloading vehicle for transporting bulk material comprising:

(a) a wheel supported frame, t

(b) box means for carrying bulk material supported on said frame, said box means having side walls, an up: wardly and forwardly inclined front wall, and a bot-p torn wall, a

(is). horizontal conveyer means operatively positioned in the boxmeans adjacent the bottom wall thereof for moving bulk material toward the front wall,

(d) elevator conveyer means operably positioned transversely in the boxmeans adjacent the front wall for. receiving bulk material from the horizontal conveyer. means and moving the bulk material upwardly over the front wall,

(e) housing means secured to. the front; of the .box'

means and extended transversely thereof forreceiving the bulk material from the. elevator conveyer; means, said housing means having a first discharge opening at one end thereof and a second discharg 7 opening at the opposite end thereof, (f) a uni-directional moving cross conveyer means operably positioned in the housing means for movfing bulk material to thefirst and the second discharge openings,

(g) means mounted on thehousing means for selectively closing the first discharge :opening-whereby when said first opening is closed and the second openzontal conveyer means, the elevator conveyer means,

and the cross conveyer. means. 2. The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein said means mounted on'the housing means comprises:

(a) a cap member pivotally mounted on the housing means, said cap member being positionable over the first discharge opening. 3. The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises:

(a) a first clutch means and a second clutch means selectively operable to change the rate of movement to the horizontal conveyer means and elevator conveyer means with respect to the. cross conveyer means, and

(b) ratchet drive means drivably connected to the horizontal conveyer means and elevator conveyer means operable to change. the rate ofmovement of the horizontalconveyer with respect to the elevator conveyer means.

4. A self-unloading vehicle for transporting bulk material comprising:

(a) a wheel supported frame,

(b) box means for carrying bulk material supported on the frame, said box means having sidewalls and a bottom wall,

(0) first conveyer means operably positioned in said box means for moving bulk material toward the front end thereof,

( h using means secured to the front end of the box means and extended transversely thereof for receiving the bulk material moved by the first conveyer means, said housing means having a first discharge opening at one end thereof and a second discharge opening at the opposite end thereof,

(e) a uni-directional moving second conveyer means operably positioned in the housing means for moving bulk material through the first and the second discharge openings,

(f) means mounted on the housing means for selectively closing the first discharge opening whereby when said first opening is open the bulk material is dis charged by the second conveyer means through said first opening, and when said first opening is closed the second conveyer means discharges bulk material through said second opening, and

(g) drive means for simultaneously operating said first and second conveyer means.

5. The vehicle defined in claim 4 wherein said means mounted on the housing means comprises:

(a) a cap member pivotally mounted on the housing means, said cap member being positionable over the first discharge opening.

6. In a self-unloading vehicle for bulk material,

(a) box means for carrying bulk material,

(b) first conveyer means disposed in the box mean for moving the bulk material toward the forward end thereof,

(c) housing means secured to the forward end of the box means in a bulk material receiving relation with the first conveyer means and extended transversely of the box means, said housing means having a first discharge opening at one side thereof and a second discharge opening at the opposite side thereof,

(d) a uni-directional moving cross conveyer means operably positioned in the housing means for moving bulk material to the first and the second discharge openings;

(a) a closure member pivotally mounted on the housing means, said closure member being positionable over the first discharge opening.

8. In a self-unloading vehicle for bulk material,

(a) box means for carrying bulk material,

(b) first conveyer means disposed in the box means for moving the bulk material toward the forward end thereof,

(c) second conveyer means for receiving bulk material from the first conveyer means and moving the bulk material in an upward direction,

(d) housing means secured to the forward end of the box means in a bulk material receiving relation with the second conveyer means and extended transversely of the box means,

(e) third conveyer means disposed in the housing means for discharging bulk material therefrom, and

(f) drive means for simultaneously operating said first, secondand third conveyer means, said drive means including a first clutch means and a second clutch means selectively operable to change the rate of movement of the first and second conveyer means with respect to the third conveyermeans whereby the rate of discharge of bulk material into the third conveyer means by the second conveyer means can be varied.

9. The self-unloading vehicle defined in claim 8 where-' in said drive means includes:

(a) ratchet drive means drivably interconnecting the second conveyer means with the first conveyer means,

said ratchet drive means having a member adjustable to change the rate of movement of the first conveyer means with respect to the second conveyer means. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS (e) means mounted on the housing means for selective- 1,591,358 7/ 1926 Brown 296-11 ly closing the first discharge opemng whereby when 40 2 503 129 4/1950 Pautz 214 520 said first opening is closed the cross conveyer means 2546519 3/1951 Podnar' V discharges bulk material through said second open- 2743832 5/1956 2,750,059 6/1956 Hintz et a1. 2145 19 (f) auger means secured to the housing means for 2 756 887 7/1956 Raney et a1 214 519 receiving bulk material discharged by the cross con- 2931529 4/1960 Osterhaus 214 519 veyer means through the second discharge opening, 2970710 2/1961 Jensen d 3,164,276 1/1965 B t 214- (g) drive means for simultaneously operating the first 3,214,050 10/1965 fis zg 21 conveyer means, cross conveyer means and the auger means. 7. The vehicle defined in claim 6 wherein said means mounted on the housing means comprises:

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

A. J. MAKAY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SELF-UNLOADING VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING BULK MATERIAL COMPRISING: (A) A WHEEL SUPPORTED FRAME, (B) BOX MEANS FOR CARRYING BULK MATERIAL SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID BOX MEANS HAVING SIDE WALLS, AN UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY INCLINED FRONT WALL, AND A BOTTOM WALL, (C) HORIZONTAL CONVEYOR MEANS OPERATIVELY POSITIONED IN THE BOX MEANS ADJACENT THE BOTTOM WALL THEREOF FORR MOVING BULK MATERIAL TOWARD THE FRONT WALL, (D) ELEVATOR CONVEYOR MEANS OPERABLY POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY IN THE BOX MEANS ADJACENT THE FRONT WALL FOR RECEIVING BULK MATERIAL FROM THE HORIZONTAL CONVEYOR MEANS AND MOVING THE BULK MATERIAL UPWARDLY OVER THE FRONT WALL, (E) HOUSING MEANS SECURED TO THE FRONT OF THE BOX MEANS AND EXTENDED TRANSVERSELY THEREOF FOR RECEIVING THE BULK MATERIAL FROM THE ELEVATOR CONVEYOR MEANS, SAID HOUSING MEANS HAVING A FIRST DISCHARGE OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF AND A SECOND DISCHARGE OPENING AT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, (F) A UNI-DIRECTIONAL MOVING CROSS CONVEYOR MEANS OPERABLY POSITIONED IN THE HOUSING MEANS FOR MOVING BULK MATERIAL TO THE FIRST AND THE SECOND DISCHARGE OPENINGS, 